WILMINGTON, Ohio — Connor Vierstra tied the Marietta College single game record with five touchdown passes as the Pioneers defeated Wilmington College by the score of 35-7 Saturday (Oct. 16) afternoon. Marietta improves to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Wilmington falls to 0-6 overall and 0-5 in the OAC.
"I'm proud of the guys to bounce back and get the win and particularly Connor (Vierstra) who had a tough game last week and really put the work in this week in practice and it showed," Marietta head coach Andy Waddle said. "He was extremely efficient with the ball and put the ball in the endzone five times. His completion percentage was high, and he didn't turn the ball over."
Vierstra tied current Pioneer assistant coach Darrien Fields for the school record with five touchdown passes in a game. Fields reached the mark three times in his career. Vierstra finished the game with 200 yards passing on 15-of-22 passes and the five touchdowns.
After a slow start, Marietta got on the board with just two seconds left in the first quarter when Vierstra connected with Dre Baldwin on a 14-yard scoring strike to cap a seven play, 51-yard drive. Matthew Haus added the point after for a 7-0 MC lead.
The Pioneer defense forced Wilmington to punt on the ensuing possession and a muffed snap gave Marietta the ball on the Quaker 42-yard line. The Navy Blue and White needed one play to reach the endzone as Vierstra hit Logan Ranft for the touchdown on the first play of the drive. Haus made it 14-0 with the extra point.
Marietta's defense kept the Quakers in check getting and interception and forcing a punt on Wilmington's next two possessions. Following the punt, MC engineered a nine play, 81-yard drive the Vierstra capped with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Maguire Morris making it 21-0 at halftime.
"Defensively we did a good job of preventing the big play and running to the football," Waddle said. "It was great to get Caleb (Boy) back out there for the first time this fall, and you have to be impressed with the performance of Drake (Neuberger) and Kyle (Gallagher)."
Wilmington's struggles continued at the start of the second half. Kyler Folkert had the strip sack which was recovered by Chance Knight at the Quaker 35-yard line. Once again, Vierstra needed just one play to extend the lead. Viertsra hit Ranft on the 35-yard touchdown and Haus added the PAT for a 28-0 Pioneer lead.
Marietta made it 35-0 with 36 seconds left in the third quarter when Vierstra notched his fifth touchdown pass of the game. This time for 12-yards to Jesse Devore that capped a nine play, 62-yard drive. Haus tacked on the extra point.
The Quakers finally got on the board in the fourth quarter after the Wilmington defense picked off a Logyn Ratliff pass at the Marietta 28-yard line. Derek Larimer connected with Itika Wynn Jr. on three straight passes, including a 13-yard touchdown. Gabe Dolan's point after made it 35-7.
Bryce Agnew continued his string of games with 100-plus yards rushing with 134 yards on 24 carries. This is Agnew's eighth straight game with over 100 yards rushing.
Larimer completed 23-of-38 passes for 216 yards for the Quakers. He threw one touchdown and was picked off twice. Wynn Jr. caught 12 passes for 124 yards and one score.
Marietta's defense limited Wilmington to just 26 yards on the ground. All-American defensive end Drake Neuberger recorded 2.0 sacks to his league leading total and now has 10.0 on the season.
Marietta returns home to host John Carroll University next Saturday (Oct. 23). Kickoff for the Homecoming game is set for 1:30 p.m. at Don Drumm Stadium.